It seems so providential that we would meet here in Rome for this extraordinarily significant event during
Lent.
These
forty days are a sacred occasion of recalling the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus – the
Paschal Mystery – uniting ourselves to the death of Jesus by
dying to sin, through prayer, sacrifice, and acts of charity, so that we might
rise with Him to life at
Easter.
Sure enough, the Church is experiencing death, as we observe the passing of a beloved Pontiff, and await the rebirth that comes with the election of a new one.
And these days of transition allow us as the Church to
die to sin, corruption, scandal, and evil, even in the members of the Church – including her leaders – so that the Church can then
rise to renewed life.
It also seems providential that we undergo this passing of one Pope and the rising up of a new one during March, classically devoted to
St. Joseph (whose feastday is March 19
th).
St. Joseph, a man of
silence – and we need quiet reflection as the College of Cardinals and members of the Church;
St. Joseph, a man who dealt with emergencies – – think of his virgin wife’s “untimely,” embarrassing pregnancy; the birth of Jesus in exile, in a stable; the flight to Egypt to escape a murdering tyrant, the three-day loss of his boy – – with calmness, trust in God, and responsibility. What an example he is as we see so many “emergencies” in the Church and the world today!
St. Joseph, ever attentive to God’s will, placing Jesus and Mary at the heart of his life, reliable in his duties to care and protect his virgin wife and adopted son; a working-man who took pride in his profession as a carpenter.
No wonder we call him the
Patron of the Church Universal. Wouldn’t it be great to have a new Pope by his feastday?
I’m going to begin a novena to him on March 11, nine days of prayer in preparation for his feastday (two days after St. Patrick’s Day), asking him and his virgin-wife to look after the Church, and get us an inspired new Successor of St. Peter. Will you join me?
Although there are a number of prayers which can be used here is one to get you started:
O Saint Joseph, whose protection is
so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my
interests and desires.
O Saint Joseph, assist me by your
powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual
blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your
heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of
Fathers.
O Saint Joseph, I never weary
contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He
reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and
ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. Amen
O Saint Joseph, hear my prayers and
obtain my petitions. O Saint Joseph, pray for me. (Mention your
intention)
Mass began at 7 p.m. Among the highlights was the singing of the Gospel by two deacons using a setting based on a collection that will be published by Liturgical Press soon. Two lovely musical pieces were the O Redeemer by Luke Mayernik which was very chant-like and Sacramentum Caritatis by Michael Joncas which was the Communion processional song.
